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Lawmakers present two separate requests to reduce Utah's DSPD wait list for services
Summary
Representatives asked the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee for two appropriations targeting the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) wait list: a $5 million ongoing request focused on children with IEPs and a $10 million general-fund request intended to reduce the overall backlog.
Two separate lawmakers asked the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee for funding aimed at moving eligible Utahns off the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) wait list.
Representative Lisonbee presented a request for $5 million ongoing from the income tax fund to provide services for individuals on the DSPD wait list who also have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan. Lisonbee said each state dollar would be matched by federal funds at about a 63% match rate.
"This is an innovative approach to take money from the income tax fund and apply it here for this particular nexus of individuals," Lisonbee said, acknowledging time constraints.
Representative K. Daley Provost separately requested $10 million from the general fund to increase the number of patients moved off the DSPD wait list and into services. Daley Provost and presenters from DSPD emphasized long waits: "There are people that have been on the wait list for over 20 years," she said, and noted that $10 million would not end the wait list but could measurably help hundreds of families by funding services such as respite care.
Both presenters provided handouts for committee review and said they would take questions offline because the hearing limited speakers to three minutes.
Ending: Both requests will be included on the committee's funding lists for prioritization; no vote was taken at the hearing.
